Local papers cover 2010 Pittsburgh PrideFest

Check out this nice piece in the Post-Gazette. It is a nice article and a nice festival, but I have to admit some sadness that the political/activist edge of Pride has morphed into a celebration of assimilation. I know that's the trend and it certainly isn't the fault of anyone local that Pride has lost some of that bite. Still … it seems less than stunning when three white men are the symbols of progress. All three are accomplished certainly, but I'm just reflecting the disillusionment women and persons of color have been sharing with me. It is “nice” but not really telling all of us that we belong , isn't it?

And then there is this column from the Tribune Review. Again another nice piece. I like the Mr. Rogers references … he was known for being a gay advocate in a quiet appropriate way for a preschool rock star.

Still, Pride coverage hit both papers proving once again that the local media is paying attention to LGBTQ issues. I'll be at Pride and admittedly would like to see a Kip Williams moment when the ahem, elected advocates take the stage. Maybe I'm naughty, but I'm sucking it up for the good of the cause. I do deserve a little snark here and there, though. You wouldn't believe me if I extolled Onorato's LGBTQ credibility anyway, would you?

I don't really care. I care about Ricky Burgess not putting his photo in the Pride Guide. What's up with that? Who is working on it or are we supposed to once again let the behind the scenes folks take care of it? That didn't work out so well for Cue Magazine's coverage of the homo-donut shop and it won't work here. Well, let me correct myself, it will work for the time being but at some point … do we all belong if a significant leader in the African-American community bitch slapped the Pride committee?